Pastoral Ministry The Kingdom Way

In his book, Pastoral Ministry the Kingdom way, Pastor Maxwell starts by establishing what the kingdom way is. Describing the Kingdom of God as “The upside-down kingdom”, he contrasts the values of the Kingdom and those of the world as recorded in Jesus’ statement in the book of Matthew “It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant”. 

Having established what the Kingdom of God truly is, from both the New and Old testament, he clearly demonstrates God’s heart for his people; that they are led by pastors, like Shepherd over sheep. Looking at the role of the pastor as a Shepherd, he explores Peter’s exhortation to the church in 1 Peter 5:1-3 where he focuses on 5 key areas for demonstrating Kingdom leadership.

1.    Leading the church as a shepherd who feeds, cares, tends, rules and leads the people.

2.    Exercising oversight by ministering to, serving and taking responsibility for the people.  

3.    Putting away greed from the sacred work of pastoring with key focus on the health of the sheep

4.    Leading the sheep not from a position of lordship, but as co-labourers with the saints in their equipping.

5.    Leading by example highlighting that the life on the pulpit and off the pulpit ought to be the same.

God’s heart for His people is that they be led by pastors according to the Kingdom way. This book not only stirs the heart of pastors to recognize their significant role as pastors in the church, Shepherds over the sheep, but also provides clear scriptural guidance on God’s expectations for doing this the kingdom way.